Warping machine



Oct. 11, 1960 H. C.YNOE 2,955,897

IARPING MACHINE Filed on. 1, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Harold C.Noe

Oct. 11, 1960 H. c. NOE 2,955,897

WARPING MACHINE Filed Oct. 1, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 COMPRESSED 9 AIRSUPPLY IN VEN TOR.

Harold ct. Noe

ochll, 1960 Filed 001'.- 1, 1956 H. c. NOE 2,955,897 WARPING momma:

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IIIIII/IIIIA Harolcl C. oe.

ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 11, 1960 WARPING MACHINE Filed Oct. 1, 1956, Ser.No. 613,156

'11 Claims. (Cl. 28-38) The present invention relates to textilemachines, and, more particularly, to improvements in machines ordinarilyknown as beamers or warpers which are utilized to wind a warp of yarnonto a beam for thereafter supplying the warp threads to a knitting orweaving machine. Such machines generally comprise a warp beam, means forrotating the warp beam, a pressure roll for engaging the warp beam,mechanism under the control of hydraulic fluid pressurized by a pump formoving the pressure roll into and out of engagement with the warp beam,a guide roller and, in some cases, mechanism for facilitating dofling ofthe warp beam.

One of the objections to such machines has been that the pump motor mustbe operated continuously to maintain the fluid under pressure while thefluid is being bypassed to the reservoir when it is not required foroperation of the pressure roll moving mechanism. Since the lattermechanism is used rather infrequently, constant pumping of the fluidresults in a waste of power, and unnecessary wear of the pump and themotor driving the same. Attempts have been made to utilize compressedair, but air, being a highly compressible fluid, is too elastic andcauses the pressure roll to move so rapidly into contact with the warpbeam that in some instances the warp sheet is smashed or otherwisedistorted. While various damping or dash pot means may be utilized toreduce the speed of movement of the pressure roll and minimize bouncingthereof, such means unduly complicate the machine and introduce otherfactors which interfere with the proper functioning of the pressure rollwhen it is urged against the warp sheet during the winding thereof onthe beam.

Another objection to such machines is that the mechanism for dofling thewarp beam is so arranged to make transfer of the warp beam from thewarping machine to apparatus for transporting the same elsewhere rathercumbersome. Also, the dofling mechanism in some cases could operateindependently of the pressure roll, whereby, if the dofiing mechanismwere operated inadvertently while the Warp sheet is being wound onto thebeam or while the pressure roll is in contact with the warp beam, thewarp threads may be damaged or the lay thereof may be disturbed.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide animproved Warping machine which overcomes the foregoing diificulties anddisadvantages.

Another object is to provide an improved pressure operated system foreffecting movement of the pressure roll mechanism and/ or dofiingmechanism.

Another object is to provide such a system which is operated by a supplyof compressed air usually available in a factory or readily provided bya small compressor unit but utilizes hydraulic fluid to effect themovement of the mechanisms.

"Another object is to provide such a system wherein limited StatesPatent Ofiice the dofiing' mechanism can be operated only when thepressure roll is clear of the warp beam.

Another object is to provide an improved dofiing mechanism for warpingmachines.

A further object is to accomplish the foregoing in a simple, practicaland economical manner.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon anunderstanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, orwill be indicated in the: appended claims, and various advantages notreferred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employmentof the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes ofillustration and description, and is shown in the accompanying drawings,forming a part of the specification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of a warpingmachine in accordance with the present invention with the warp beam inplace.

Fig. 2 is a side view, taken substantially along the line 2-2,on Fig. 1,with the warp beam removed.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view taken on Fig. 1 illustrating detailsof the dofling mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the system for operating the pressure rolland dofiing mechanisms.

Referring to the drawings in detail and more particularly to Figs. 1 to3 thereof, a Warping machine is shown which includes a frame 10, a warpbeam 11, a pressure roll assembly 12, mechanism 13 for moving thepressure roll into and out of engagement with the warp beam, a yarnmeasuring roll 14 driven by the pressure roll, mechanism 15 for doflingthe warp beam, and a main drive 16 for the warp beam.

The frame comprises a pair of spaced apart upright side members 17 and18, a number of cross bars or tubes connecting the side membersincluding a tube 19, and a platform or support 20 for the main drive.members 17 and 18 are provided with bearings, journals and the like forsupporting shafts and the like which will be described hereinafter withreference to the particular mechanisms with which they are associated.

The warp beam 11, as shown in Fig. 1, is a spool-like,

structure which comprises a hollow cylindrical section 21, and a pair ofside flanges 22 and 23 formed with annular openings 24 and 25,respectively. The opening 24 has a cylindrical zone of considerablewidth, whereas the opening 25 has a narrow cylindrical Zone and a flaredzone located axially outwardly thereof for the purpose about to bedescribed. The warp beam is rotatably supported by a bearing assembly 26on the frame member 17 and a bearing assembly 27 on the frame member 18.

The bearing assembly 26 includes an axle 28 which has an inner endelement 29 adapted to fit into the opening 24 of the warp beam and whichis rotatably mounted in a sleeve 30. This sleeve isslidably mounted inthe frame member 17 and is adapted to be moved inwardly and outwardly toinsert and withdraw the element 29. To accomplish this, the sleeve 30has a gear rack 31 which is engaged by a gear 32 adapted to be manuallyrotated by a lever or handle 33. Although not shown,' conventional meansare provided for locking the sleeve' sliding arrangement when theelement 29 is inserted into the warp beam opening 24.

The bearing assembly 27 includes an axle 34 whichhas an inner endelement 35 adapted to fit into the open-; ing 25 of the warp Ibeam indriving connection, an outer; section rotatably mounted in a sleeve 36,fixed'in theframe member 18,and an intermediate pulley 37 or :the

' like adapted to be driven by a @belt 38 or the likefrom the main drive16. The support for the warp beam just The side rod 40- supported bybearings in theframe members 17 and 18, a cross bar 41 connecting themembers 39 for swinging movement in unison, and apressure roll 4 2free-.ly rotatable on a shaft 43 supported by the members 3 9 at the lowerends thereof. j V w y The mechanism 13 for moving the pressure roll intoand out of engagement with the beam includes a pair of hydraulic motors44 and 45 each comprising a cylinder 46 (Fi 2) having one end pivotallymounted on the frame at 47, a piston; 48, and a piston rod 49 extendingoutwardly of the-other end of the cylinder and having its free endlinked to one of the'side members 39 of the yoke. 1 e p The yarnmeasuring roll 14 is freely rotatable on the shaft 40 and is positivelyd'rivenby the pressure roll, for example, by a timing belt 50, driven bya timing wheel 51 rotated by the pressure roll and driving a timingwheel 52- for rotating themeasuring roll. Since the pressure 3 roll isdriven by the warp beam by being in frictional contact withthe warpsheet wound thereon and the measuring roll is driven by pressure roll,the linear speed of described facilitates mounting and mounting of the V7 warpj beam as. will be made apparent hereinafter.

the yarn at the measuring roll and the warp beamis the same, whereby themeasuring" r'ollwill demand from the creel and supply to the warp beamthe exact amount of yarn required by the warp beam to provide auniformly wound warp of yarn thereon. Since the measuring roll 14 ismounted forvrotation on the shaft 40 about which the pressurerollsw'ings, movement of the pressure roll from one position to anotherwill not disturb the relation of the measuring roll to the warp beam.

The dofiing mechanism 15, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, includes a cradleprovided by two spaced arcuate members 55 which are L-shaped in sectionand are constructed toreceive and support the flanges 2'2 and 23' ofthewarp beam. These members are mounted by arms 56 on" a shaft 57 supportedby the frame members 17 and 18. The cradle is so arranged that, when thewarp beam is mo'untedlfor rotation, the vertical sections 58 ofthe mem-'bers 55' are closely adjacent the outer sides of the flanges and thehorizontal sections 59' of these members are closely adjacent theperiphery of the flanges. The manner in which the warp beam is placedonrthe cnadle and removed therefrom will be described'shortlyhereinafter.

The cradle is adapted to be moved from its normal position, that is,under the beam, to the position downwardly and outwardly of its normalposition secured to the shaft 57 and having its other'e'nd linked" to apiston rod 61 extending out of one end of a cylinder 62 of a hydraulicmotor 63. A piston 64 in the cylinder 62 operates the piston rod, andthe other end of the cyl-' inder is pivotally mounted on the frame at'65.

Provision is'made for locking the cradle in its normal 7 position duringoperation of the machine by securing a lateral 'pin' or stud 66 to theouter side of the lever 60 which rides on an arcuate block 67 (Figs. 1and 2) formed witha hole 68;for receiving the .pin'when the cradle is innormal position, rotatably and slidably mountingthe shaft 57 in bearings69 in the frame members (Fig. 3) and placing ;a spring 70 on the shaft57 between the frame member 17 and the clamp of the arm- 56 adjacentthereto; whereby the is effective'to' move the shaft towards the right(as viewed'in'Figl 3 as'thepinentersits hole. 7 r

The pin is adapted'to be withdrawn from its hole when tliecradleis to belowered by mechanism which includes a foot treadle 71 mounted on one endof a shaft 72 supported by a bracket 73 on the tube 19; The other end ofthe shaft 72 is adjacent the shaft 57 and carries a roller 74 forengaging a flange 75 secured to the shaft 57, whereby, when pressureis-exerted on the treadle, the shaft '72 rotates counterclockwise, asviewed in Fig. 3, and the shaft 57 is moved towards the left toefiectremoval of the pin from its hole. V

The elements of the dofling mechanism and the mounting elements forsupporting the beam cooperate in the manner about to be described.Assuming, that a warp beam has been wound and removed, the cradle willbe in its doflin' g position as shown in' Fig. 2, and'the element 29will be in its outer posit-ion. An empty beam is rolled onto the cradleand the hydnaulic' motor 63 is operated to lift the cradle until/thepin'66 enters its hole 68 whereupon the shaft. 57 moves towards theright'and causes the section 58 of the cradle member 55 at the left toengage the flange 22 of the beamand move the same a short distancetowards the right' so that the element 35 extends partially into theopening 25' of the beam. The mechanism under the control of the lever 33is then operated to insert the element 29 into the beam opening 24 whichshifts the beam, further towards the right to fully insert the element35 into the beam opening 25, whereby the flared zone ofthe opening 25causes the beam to be raised oif the horizontal cradle sections 59 andthe beam flanges are laterally spaced from the vertical cradle sections58. p v Y 7 After the warp beam has been wound, the lever 33 is operatedto withdraw the element 29 from the beam opening 24, and pressure isapplied on the foot treadle' 7.1 to withdraw the pin 66 from its hole 68and to'shift the cradle towards theleft, whereby the cradle member 55 atthe'righ't moves the beam towards theleft to slide the flared zonedefining the beamjopening 25 over the element 35 and thereby enable thebeam to drop onto the cradle. The hydraulic motor 63 is operated, whilepressure is maintained on the treadle until the pin 66 clears the hole68 and rides on the block 67, to swing the cradle outwardly anddownwardly for removal of the beam.

In Fig. 4, a system is shown for operating ,the'hydraulic motors 44, 45and 63, the pistons of the motors being shown in anintermediateposition' as they are being-operated respectively to movethe pressure roll, away from the warp beam and to swing the cradlesdownwardly and outwardly. a a This system includes a pair of reservoirsand 81 for the motors 44 and 46 which reservoirs at all times are onlypartially filled with a hydraulic fluid to provide a space above thefluid and which respectively have upper openings 82 and 83 and loweropenings 84 and 85. The upper openings 82 and 83 respectively areconnected by conduits 86 and 87 to outlets 88 and 89 of a valve 90 whichhas an inlet 91 connected to a supply of compressed air 92 and has avent 93. a, I p

The source of the'comp ressed air supply 92 maybe a compressed air lineusually installed in factories and mills or may be a smallmotor-compressor unit having an accumulator and on and off controlresponsive to the pressure of the air within the accumulator.

The valve 90 has a movable member 94 for'providing .The lower openings84 and 85 respectively are con nected by aconduit 95 to an opening 96 atone end of each of'the cylinders 46 and by. a conduit 97 to an opening98 at the opposite end of each of the cylinders 46,

so that the pistons .48 in these'cylinders move back and forth togetherto operate the pressure roll assembly.

As shown herein, the cylinders and the connections thereto are arrangedto movethepressure' rollinto engagement with the warp beam when the airinlet 91 is connected to the valve outlet 89 in communication with thereservoir opening 83 and to move the pressure roll out of engagementwith the warp beam when the air inlet 91 is connected to the valveoutlet 88 in communication with the reservoir opening 82.

Since the pressure roll, when in engagement with the warp beam isintended to exert pressure on the Warp sheet being wound thereon, it isimportant and desirable to adjust such pressure to make it suflic ient,but without damage to the warp. Such pressure adjustment cafi be made byplacing a pressure regulating valve 99 and a pressure gauge 100 in thecompressed air conduit 87 leading to the opening 83 of the reservoir 81.Also, it is desirable to slowly move the pressure roll into engagementwith the warp beam to prevent damage to the Warp sheet. Such slowmovement can be attained by placing a check valve 101 in the conduit 95and by-passing the check valve by a flow restricting tube 102.

The system further includes a pair of reservoirs 78 and 79 for the motor63 which at all times are only partially filled with a hydraulic fluidto provide a space above the fluid and which respectively have upperopenings 103 and 104 and lower openings 105 and 106. The upper openings103 and 104 respectively are connected by conduits 107 and 108 tooutlets 109 and 110 of a valve 111 which has an inlet 112 and has a vent113.

The valve 111 has a movable member 114 for providing two open andventing positions with the inlet 112 connected to the outlet 109 and theoutlet 89 connected to the vent 113, and vice versa, and a closedposition, as shown.

The lower openings 105 and 106 respectively are connected bya conduit115 to an opening 116 at one end of the cylinder 62 and by a conduit 117to an opening 118 at the opposite end of the cylinder 62 so that thepiston 64 can be moved back and forth.

As shown herein, the cylinder and its connections are arranged to movethe cradle downwardly and outwardly when the air inlet 112 is connectedto the valve outlet 109 in communication with the reservoir opening 103.Thus, to prevent the cradle from moving down too rapidly and possiblyjarring the warp beam to cause the same to roll oh" the cradle andinflict personal injury or property damage, a check valve 119 isconnected in the conduit 108 and a flow restricting tube 120 by-passesthe check valve.

In order to prevent the cradle from being operated while the pressureroll bears against the warp beam, the air inlet 112 of the valve 111 isconnected to the outlet 88 of the valve 90, whereby air is admitted tothe valve 111 only when the inlet 91 is connected to the outlet 88 ofthe valve 90 and the pressure roll is fully retracted.

-In the event of failure of the pressure system, it is,

desirable to move the pressure roll 42 away from the warp beam 11. Aconventional mechanism, such as a counterpoise assembly, is used forthis purpose which comprises a shaft 121 urged in a counter-clockwisedirection by a weight or spring (not shown), a pair of arms 122 eachhaving one end secured to the shaft for pivotal movement therewith, andan adjustable link 123 for connecting the other end of each arm to oneof the members 39, whereby the counterpoise assembly tends to move thepressure roll 42 away from the warp beam 11. However, such movement isprevented by the hydraulic motors 44 and 45 while medium under pressureis supplied thereto.

In operation, when air is admitted to one of the reservoirs of a pair,the other reservoir of that pair is vented, whereby the air pressurizesthe hydraulic fluid and causes it to operate the piston in one directionwhile the fluid in back of the piston is returned to the ventedreservoir. I From the foregoing description, it will be seen that thepresent invention provides an improved warping machine which is simple,practical and economical in construction, is safe and reliable inoperation, and prevents damage to parts of the machine or the warp beingwound. As various changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the parts herein, without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, itis to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted asillustrative and not in any limiting sense.

1. In a warping machine, the combination of an element mounted formovement from one position to another; a cylinder having an openingadjacent each end thereof; a piston in said cylinder having a rodconnected for moving said element from one position to the other; a pairof reservoirs partiallyfilled with hydraulic fluid to provide a spaceabove the fluid and each having an upper and a lower opening; means forconnecting one of said lower reservoir openings in fluid flowcommunication with one of said cylinder openings and the other of saidlower reservoir openings with the other of said cylinder openings; avalve having means providing two open and venting positions, and aclosed position including an inlet for compressed air, a pair of outletsand a vent; and means for connecting one of said valve outlets in fluidflow communication with one of said upper reservoir openings and theother of said valve outlets with the other of said upper reservoiropenings to pressurize the space above the fluid.

2. A warping machine according to claim 1, including a warp beam andwherein said element is a pressure roll for said warp beam.

3. A warping machine according to claim 1, including a warp beam andwherein said element is a doffing cradle for said warp beam.

4. In a warping machine, the combination of an element mounted formovement from one position to another; a cylinder having an openingadjacent each end thereof; a piston in said cylinder having a rodconnected for moving said element from one position to the other; a pairof reservoirs partially filled with hydraulic fluid to provide a spaceabove the fluid and each having an upper and a lower opening; means forconnecting one of said lower reservoir openings in fluid flowcommunication with one of said cylinder openings and the other of saidlower reservoir openings with the other of said cylinder openings; avalve having an air inlet, a pair of outlets and a vent and means toprovide two open and venting positions; and a closed position; a supplyof compressed air connected to said valve inlet; and means forconnecting one of said valve outlets in fluid flow communicationwith oneof said upper reservoir openings and the other of said valve outletswith the other of said upper reservoir openings to pressurize the spaceabove the fluid.

5. In a warping machine, the combination of a warp beam; a pressure rollmounted for movement into and out of engagement with said warp beam; acylinder having an opening adjacent each end thereof; a piston in saidcylinder having a rod connected for moving said pressure roll into andout of engagement with a pair of reservoirs partially filled withhydraulic fluid to provide a space above the fluid and each having anupper and a lower opening, means for connecting the lower opening of oneof said reservoirs in fluid flow communication with said cylinderopening for admitting fluid to effect movement of said pressure rollinto engagement with said warp beam and the lower opening of other ofsaid reservoirs with said cylinder opening for admitting fluid to eflectmovement of said pressure roll out of engagement with said Warp beam; avalve having means providing two' open and venting positions, and aclosed position including an inlet for compressed air, a pair ofoutlets' and a vent; means for connecting one of said valve outlets influid flow communication with one of said upper reservoir openings andthe other of said valve outlets with the other of said upper reservoiropenings to pres-- surize the space above the fluid; a dofling cradlemounted for movement from one position to another while sup-. portingsaid warp beam; a second cylinder having an opening adjacent each endthereof; a piston in said second with the other of said second cylinderopenings; asec nd valve having means providing two open and ventingpositions, anda closed positionlincluding an air inlet, a

pair of outlets and a vent; means for connecting one of said secondvalve outlets in fluid flow communication with the upper opening of oneof said second reservoirs and the other of said second valve outletswith the upper I opening of the other of said second reservoirs topressurize the space above the fluid; andmeans for connecting saidsecond valve inlet in fluid flow communication with said first mentionedvalve outlet which is connected to the upper opening of said reservoirfor admitting fluid to said first cylinder to effect movement of saidpressure roll out of engagement with said warp beam, whereby said cradleis operable only when said pressure roll is out of engagement with saidwarp beam.

6. In a' warping machine, the combinationof a removably mounted warpbeam, a pressure roll mounted for movement into and out of engagementwith said warp beam, means for effecting such movement of said pressureroll, a doffing cradle adapted to support said warp' beam and arrangedfor movement with the beam thereon from 'a position beneath said warpbeam to' another position outwardly and downwardly. of the region wheresaid warp beam normally is mounted, means for effecting" such movementof said cradle, and control means for said pressure roll and said cradlemoving means arranged to prevent operation of said cradle moving meansunless said pressure roll is out of engagement with said warp beam.

7. In a warping machine, the combination of a removably mounted warpbeam having side flanges, a

Which is retractably mounted, meanstor retracting said" lastmentioned-element, a :doffing cradle adapted to supportsaid war-pbearnand arranged for movement with the beam thereon from a positionbeneath saidwarp beam to another position outwardly and downwardlyqfjthe region: where said warp beam is rotatably mounted, meansgforetiecting such movement of said cradle, means for rjeleaseablyflocking said cradle moving ,means to position said cradle beneath saidwarp beam, and means operable, whensaid element retracting means havebeen operated to retract said retractable element from its warp;beam'opening, for axially shifting said warp beam to withdrawtlie same fromsaid other mounting element to deposit said warp'beam on said cradle.

VltOQin-a warping machine, the combination of a warp beam having centralopenings at the sides thereof, means for rotatably. mounting said warpbeam including an element,extending into each "of said openings one ofwhich is retractably mounted, means for retracting said last mentionedelement, .a doffing cradle adapted to support said-warp beam andarranged for movement with doffing cradle arranged for movement with thebeam 1 thereon from a posit-ion beneath said warp'beam to anotherposition outwardly and downwardly of the region where said warp beamnormally is mounted, means for effecting such movement of said cradle,and control means for said cradle moving means, said cradle having apair of curved members constructed to receive and support the flanges ofsaid warp beam when positioned beneath said warp beam and said warp beamis unmounted and to deliver said warp beam in its other position withone end of said cradle tangentially disposed to'floor surface on whichthe machine is'supported, whereby removal of said warp beam from saidcradle .to the floor is facilitated. 8. In a warping machine, thecombination of a. re-

movably mounted warp beam, a pressure roll mounted for movement into andout of engagement with said warp beam, means tor effecting such movementof said pressure roll, a doiring cradle adapted to support said warpbeam and arranged for movement with the beam thereon from a positionbeneath said warp beam to another position outwardly and downwardly ofthe regionjwhere said warp beam normally is mounted, means for elfectingsuch movement of said cradle, means for V 'releaseably locking saidcradle in its position beneath said warp beam, and control means forsaid pressure roll and said cradle moving" means arranged to preventoperation of said cradle' moving means unless'said pressure roll is outof engagement with said war-p beam.

9. in a warping machine, the combination of a warp beam having centralopenings at the sides thereof, means :for' ro'ta'tably mounting saidwarp including an.

element extending into each or" said openings] one of the beam thereonfrom a'position beneath said warp beam to another'position outwardly anddownwardly of the region where. said warp beam is rotatably mounted,means for releaseably locking said cradle mo'ving means tolposition saidcradle beneath said warp beam, means for effecting such movement of saidcradle, and means operable, when said element retracting means have beenoperated to retract said retractable elementtrom its warp beam opening,for axially shifting saidwarp beam to withdraw the same firom said othermounting element to. deposit said warp beam on said cradle,'and meansfor rendering said locking means ineflective after said. warp beam hasbeen deposited on said cradle, whereby said cradle moving means arerendered ineffective unless said warp beam is supported thereon.

, L1. In a warping machine, the combination of a warp beam; a pressureroll mounted for movement'into and out of engagement with said warpbeam; a cylinder having an opening adjacent each end-thereof; a pistoniii said cylinder having a rod connected for moving said pressure rollfrom one position to the other; a pair of reservoirs partially .filledwith hydraulic fluid to provide aspace above the fluid and each havingan upper and a lower opening; means to: connecting one of said lowerreservoir openings in fluid flow communication withone of said cylinderopenings to cause said-pressure roll to move into engagement with said:warp beam; means for connecting the other of said lower reservoiropenings with the other ofsaid cylinder openings to cause said pressureroll to move out of engagement with saidwarp beam; a valve having meansproviding two open and venting-positions, and a closed positionincluding an inlet for compressed air, a pair of outlets and aVenn-means for connecting one of said valve outlets in fluid flowcommunication with one of said upper reservoir openings and the other ofsaid valve outlets with the other of said upper reservoir openings topressur ze the space above the fluid; and an air pressure regulatingvalve in the said last mentioned means connected to said reservoir forcausing said pressure roll to move into engagement with said warp beam.

References Cited in the file of this patent

